Around Midnight
Around Midnight (Autour de Minuit) is a Paris-based French animation studio founded in 2001 that produces and distributes auteur and experimental animated short films, series, and feature films to international festivals, theaters, and consumer collectors through physical media, VOD, and festival licensing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Around Midnight does
Around Midnight (legal name: Autour de Minuit) is a French animation production and distribution company headquartered in Paris, founded in 2001 and operating since 2008 under its current brand (with registered trademarks 'Autour de Minuit®' and 'ADM'). The company operates a hybrid model, both producing original animated works and distributing a curated catalog of auteur and experimental short films, series, and feature films. Its proprietary content includes franchises such as Jean-Michel Super Caribou (an animated series for young audiences, now in Season 2), the Bendito Machine Saga (a six-part series by Jossie Malis co-produced with Spain's Zumbakamera), Swallow the Universe by Nieto, and internationally distributed shorts.
The company's underlying technology and distribution layer rests on multi-format delivery — theatrical DCP files, Vimeo On Demand digital rentals, physical DVD/Blu-Ray/vinyl through a direct e-commerce boutique, and curated thematic programs packaged for festivals and theaters. Core technical capabilities center on animation production (short films, stop-motion, 2D/3D experimental), with sub-brands like the LAB Competition Collection and the 'Ready-Made Programs' portfolio enabling curated distribution rather than purely title-by-title licensing.
Around Midnight generates revenue through five primary streams: physical media sales (DVDs at €5-15, Blu-Ray €10-20, vinyl €7-10) via its DTC storefront; VOD rentals on Vimeo at €1.20-€2 per title; festival licensing for public screenings (DCP/HD file rentals) sold directly to programmers; co-production services with international animation studios; and crowdfunding campaigns for new IP such as the upcoming 'Putain de chat' series. Customers include major international film festivals (Annecy, Clermont-Ferrand, Cannes, Raindance, Toronto, Ottawa), cinema/theater programmers, co-production partners (Zumbakamera, Schmuby Productions, Studio Croma, The Mill, Collection Canal+), and individual consumer collectors of animation media.
Around Midnight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Around Midnight
- Legal name
- Autour de Minuit
- Website
- https://blog.autourdeminuit.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Around Midnight (Autour de Minuit) is a Paris-based French animation studio founded in 2001 that produces and distributes auteur and experimental animated short films, series, and feature films to international festivals, theaters, and consumer collectors through physical media, VOD, and festival licensing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Around Midnight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Production and Distribution
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Short-Form Animation (Shorts, Web Series) (MPADACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG)
Keywords
Where Around Midnight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Around Midnight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Physical Media Sales: Sale of DVDs, Blu-Rays, and vinyl records through the e-commerce boutique. Products include standalone films, compilation boxes, and director collections. One-time purchase model with physical goods shipped to customers.
- VOD Rentals: Video-on-demand rentals through Vimeo platform at price points ranging from €1.20 to €2 for individual films. Digital access without ownership model.
- Festival Licensing: Licensing short films for public screenings at festivals and cultural events. Fees negotiated for DCP and HD digital file rentals to festival programmers.
- Crowdfunding Campaigns: Crowdfunding campaigns for new projects such as the 'Putain de chat' series adaptation from comic books. Community-supported production financing.
- Co-production Services: Production and co-production services for animated content with international partners, contributing to film production in exchange for distribution rights.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard DVD products |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Blu-Ray products |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Vinyl records |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | VOD individual rentals |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 20th Anniversary of Lab Box Set |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Special bundles |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Around Midnight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Around Midnight produces and distributes animated short films, series, and television productions, with a catalog of over 200 works spanning experimental animation, stop-motion, and auteur-driven shorts. The company operates as both an animation production house and a B2B distribution entity, licensing films to festivals, theaters, and cultural institutions in DCP/HD formats and offering pre-curated thematic programs. It also sells physical media (DVDs, Blu-Rays, vinyl soundtracks) directly to consumers through an e-commerce boutique and digital VOD rentals via Vimeo.
Product overview
Around Midnight (Autour de Minuit) is a French animation production and distribution company operating since 2008. The company produces and distributes animated short films, series, and feature films through both production and distribution arms. Its portfolio includes original productions like Jean-Michel Super Caribou (animated series for young audience now in Season 2), the Bendito Machine Saga (six-part animated series by Jossie Malis), and Swallow the Universe (experimental film by Nieto). The company maintains an extensive distribution catalog available for theatrical and festival licensing, organizes films into ready-made thematic programs for venues and festivals, and sells physical media including DVDs, Blu-rays, and vinyl soundtracks through its online boutique. The distribution activity also includes works from international creators such as Rosto, Edouard Salier, Alberto Vazquez, and Nicolas Deveaux (Athleticus).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LAB Competition Collection: 20th anniversary Blu-ray boxset featuring award-winning films from Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival's Lab Competition
- Bendito Machine Saga
Products and services
- Jean-Michel Super Caribou Animated series for young audiences featuring a caribou character in the fictional commune of Vlalbonvent. Currently in Season 2; targets children and family programming.
- Bendito Machine Saga Six-part animated series by Jossie Malis about simple-minded organisms and their relationship with machines, totaling approximately 54 minutes. Co-produced with Zumbakamera.
- Swallow the Universe Experimental animated film by Nieto about a young child lost in Manchuria's jungles, employing 2D, 3D, and stop-motion techniques.
- 20th Anniversary of Lab Blu-Ray Boxset Blu-ray boxset featuring 20 films (5 hours) from Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival's Lab Competition, including a 52-page booklet. Originally priced at €29, discounted to €10.
- Athleticus 30-episode 3D animated series featuring wild animals competing in athletic events, created by Nicolas Deveaux.
- Ready-Made Programs Turnkey thematic animation short film programs for theatres and festivals, including compilations for young audience and teen-adult programming. Delivered in DCP and HD digital formats.
- Thee Wreckers Tetralogy Four short films by Rosto based on songs by Thee Wreckers music project, sold as a thematic program for festivals and theaters.
- Global Warning Thematic program for teen-adult audiences (80 min) addressing environmental themes through animated short films.
- Distribution Catalog Adult and kids distribution catalogs of animated short films and series available for theatrical and festival licensing across multiple formats.
- Animatic DVD Series Six-volume DVD compilation series featuring award-winning animated shorts and music videos from international festivals.
- Experience(s) DVD Series Six-volume DVD compilation series featuring the best of new images from the Nemo Festival and international animation.
- Rosto Mind My Gap Trilogy DVD DVD trilogy of films by Rosto including Beheaded, Anglobilly Feverson, and Jona/Tomberry (Grand Prix Canal+ at Cannes 2005).
- Wayback Animated short (8 min) by Carlos Salgado using 2D and 3D animation about a space explorer transporting an alien plant. Distributed by Autour de Minuit.
- PLSTC Animated short (1 min 37 sec) by Laen Sanches about plastic pollution in oceans, using procedural animation techniques.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100+ international awards across the catalog
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Around Midnight
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Around Midnight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Around Midnight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ZumbakameracoreSpanish production company and primary co-production partner for the Bendito Machine series (6 films from 2006-2018). Co-producer with Autour de Minuit on Bendito Machine VI.
- Studio CromaminorCo-production partner for 'Playing God' (9') short film by Matteo Burani, selected at Clermont-Ferrand 2025.
- Schmuby ProductionsminorCo-production partner with Autour de Minuit for 'Peripheria' (2015), a 12-minute animated short about abandoned suburban environments.
- User T38minorProduction company for 'Wayback' (2020), 8-minute Spanish animated short distributed by Autour de Minuit.
- The MillminorUK-based animation studio co-producer of 'Dix' (2008) short film.
- ArcadiminorFrench cultural agency that supports digital arts and multimedia creation. Co-producer of 'Dix' and supporter of the Nemo Festival compilations.
- Collection Canal+coreFrench TV production initiative supporting short film creation. Producer of 'I Want Pluto to be a Planet Again' under the 'Collection Canal+ : Tomorrow if I'm there' initiative.
- Fifigrot FestivalminorToulouse-based film festival. Maxime Lachaud, Fifigrot programmer, provides introductions and content for Swallow the Universe releases.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Around Midnight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Zumbakamera: Spanish animation production house and Around Midnight's core co-production partner on the Bendito Machine Saga series. Directly comparable as a small independent studio with festival-circuit distribution of artist-led short animation.
- Folivari: French animation production company developing auteur-driven shorts and feature films, often with public co-financing (CNC). Matches Around Midnight's niche positioning in European festival-bound animation and short-form content.
- Sacrebleu Productions: French independent animation studio that produces and distributes award-winning short films (Annecy, César nominations) and develops series. Compares to Around Midnight in scale, artistic positioning, and reliance on festival-driven recognition.
- GKIDS: US-based distributor specializing in releasing international and art-house animation in theatrical and home-video formats (multiple Oscar-nominated titles). Closely comparable to Around Midnight's distribution function — curating and licensing independent animated shorts/features for festivals and consumer markets.
- Special Touch Studios: Independent French animation studio producing short films and series for international festival circulation and distribution. Comparable in business model — co-productions, festival-led distribution, and art-house animation focus.
- Cartoon Saloon: Irish independent animation studio (Kells, Wolfwalkers, Song of the Sea) with multiple Oscar nominations and a strong festival profile. Comparable to Around Midnight in its auteur/art-house identity and reliance on prestigious festival wins, though operating at a larger and more feature-focused scale.
- Miyu Productions: Paris-based animation production and international sales studio focused on independent short and feature animation, with strong festival credentials (Annecy, Berlinale, Oscar submissions). Closely comparable to Around Midnight as a small, curatorial French animation boutique active in both production and rights distribution.
Broad incumbents
- MK2 Films: Major French independent film sales, distribution, and exhibition company with a strong short-film catalog. Adjacent to Around Midnight's distributor/cultural-cinema positioning, but with a much wider release footprint across features, shorts, and theatrical operations.
- Xilam Animation: Major French animation studio producing both auteur shorts and commercial series (Oggy and the Cockroaches, Where's Waldo?). Broader incumbent play with similar French roots but a much larger commercial kids' catalog that contrasts with Around Midnight's art-house focus.
- TeamTO: Leading independent French animation studio producing both series and feature films. Significantly larger and more commercially oriented than Around Midnight, but occupies the same French animation production ecosystem with shared co-production and broadcaster funding partners.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Around Midnight social profiles
Digital presenceAround Midnight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Around Midnight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Around Midnight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Around Midnight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Around Midnight
What does Around Midnight do?
Around Midnight produces and distributes animated short films, series, and television productions, with a catalog of over 200 works spanning experimental animation, stop-motion, and auteur-driven shorts. The company operates as both an animation production house and a B2B distribution entity, licensing films to festivals, theaters, and cultural institutions in DCP/HD formats and offering pre-curated thematic programs. It also sells physical media (DVDs, Blu-Rays, vinyl soundtracks) directly to consumers through an e-commerce boutique and digital VOD rentals via Vimeo.
Is Around Midnight a public or private company?
Around Midnight is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Around Midnight founded?
Around Midnight was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Around Midnight based?
Around Midnight is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Around Midnight make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Physical Media Sales are the primary driver. The others are VOD Rentals, festival Licensing, crowdfunding Campaigns and co-production Services.
Who are Around Midnight's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Zumbakamera, Folivari, Sacrebleu Productions, GKIDS, Special Touch Studios, Cartoon Saloon and Miyu Productions. Broad incumbents are MK2 Films, Xilam Animation and TeamTO.
Does Around Midnight have an API?
No public API is recorded for Around Midnight.
What industry is Around Midnight in?
Around Midnight's product category is Animation Production and Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADACAI, Short-Form Animation (Shorts, Web Series), with a secondary code of MPADACAG, Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.